MD General Assembly: Teens Can Get HIV Prevention Drug Without Parental Consent

MD General Assembly: Teens Can Get HIV Prevention Drug Without Parental Consent

On March 25th, the Maryland
legislature voted to allow doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician
assistants to prescribe a drug – pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as “PrEP”
– that helps prevent HIV to minors, without requiring parental consent. The House
voted 109 to 21 in favor of the final bill (SB 251), sponsored by Senator Lam
(District 12), which passed the Senate by a vote of 47 to 0 on March 13. The
bill now goes to Governor Hogan for his signature.

Advocates
say this bill will dramatically extend the lifespan of young black men,
particularly those living in poverty. According to the Maryland Department of
Health, about 74% of new diagnoses among youth were black.

“I
treat teens who need the protection of PrEP to save their lives,” said Dr. Raymona
Smith. “Without this medicine, entire communities are at risk for an increased
incidence of HIV disease. As a provider, when I must inform an adolescent that
he or she is HIV positive, it’s a sleepless night for me, and I can’t imagine
the impact on them.”

PrEP
consists of a single pill called Truvada taken every day. Truvada can reduce
the risk of becoming infected with HIV from sex by 90% and among intravenous
drug users by 70%, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

On
average, three people are diagnosed with HIV in Maryland every day. According
to the CDC, Maryland has the second highest lifetime risk of HIV infection.

Advocates
believe the legislation will help young people who want the drug but don’t feel
comfortable discussing sexual activity with their parents.

“While
working as a therapist at Chase Brexton for over five years, I have witnessed
the emotional impact on a young person who is newly diagnosed with HIV and the
stigmas that often come with it,” said Stacey Jackson-Roberts, a therapist and
clinical social worker. “I have also seen the significant difficulty that many
young people face in accessing preventative care, particularly having
conversations with their parents or guardians about their sexual health. It is
ideal that these conversations occur before HIV prevention medication is
prescribed, but either way, social workers like me would still strive to do it
after the fact. Protecting patients’ lives is most urgent, followed by
fostering a strong support network of family and mentors.”

It
is estimated that more than 50% of youth living with HIV in Maryland remain
undiagnosed, which dramatically increases their risk of infecting others.
Maryland will join 17 other states who have
passed similar legislation.